Download publication (PDF, 261.02 KB)
Why do you contact a committee?
- Unable to provide testimony
- Not enough time for a full testimony during the hearing
- Can’t be there in person
- Share comments before a vote
- Thank them for passing your bill
The easiest way to contact a committee is to email the entire group, make sure to:
- List all legislators in the committee in the ‘to’ line.
leg.wa.gov/ → House of Reps or Senate à Committees → select committee → Members + staff
- List all the committee staff in the ‘cc’ line so they notify legislators.
Best practice is to copy relevant staff on all emails to legislators
- The subject should be simple– tell them what you want!
Ex: HB 1513: Vote Yes + Suggestions, Support for HB 1529, etc.
- Start the email the same way you would start your testimony
Ex: Madame Chair & Members of the Committee, Good morning Healthcare Committee…
- Explain who you are and why they should listen
Legislative District, Organization affiliations, relevant positions, & life experiences. Find your legislative district: https://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/
- Explain that you can’t attend the hearing or wanted to share your thoughts on a bill or issue.
Ex: I’m reaching out because I couldn’t attend and testify during the hearing held on 1/25.
- Tell them if you do or don’t support the legislation, if you want amendments, or if you’re unsure at this time.
Ex1: I’d like to urge the committee to please amend proposed section three to include XYZ…
Ex2: Please vote yes on HB XXXX to bolster the rights of people with psychiatric disabilities
- Always leave your contact information.
Unless your email signature does that for you!
Checklist for Calling Legislators
Why do you call legislators?
- Give a quick message on a bill
- Unable to provide testimony
- Can’t be there in person
- Share comments before a vote
- Thank them for passing your bill
How do you call legislators?
- Use the Toll-Free Hotline to send a message to your Senator or Representative.
- 1-800-562-6000 (TTY 1-800-635-9993).
- For non-English speaking callers we offer interpreter services for many languages.
- During the Legislative session, the Hotline is open from: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Outside of the Legislative session the Hotline is open from: 8:00 a.m. to Noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Call their office directly
- To find a legislators Olympia phone number go to: https://app.leg.wa.gov/Rosters/Members
- Legislators only answer this phone during the legislative session.
Leave a brief message on voicemail or through a legislative aid:
- If leaving a voicemail, state who the message is for or tell the legislative aid.
Ex: I’d like to leave a message for xx, this message is for all members of the xx Committee…
- Explain who you are and why they should listen
Legislative District, Organization affiliations, relevant positions, & life experiences.
Find your legislative district: https://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/
- Explain that you can’t attend the hearing or wanted to share your thoughts on a bill or issue.
Ex: I’m reaching out because I couldn’t attend and testify during the X Committee hearing.
- Tell them if you do or don’t support the legislation, if you want amendments, or if you’re unsure at this time.
Ex1: I’d like to urge the committee to please amend proposed section three to include XYZ…
Ex2: Please vote yes on HB XXXX to bolster the rights of people with psychiatric disabilities
- Always leave your contact information.
Permission to reprint this publication is granted by the author, DRW, provided that the publication is distributed free of charge and with attribution. If you do disseminate any DRW document, please send us an email to info@dr-wa.org letting us know the nature of the audience and number of people with whom it was shared.